I've been working on a novel...

Hey guys!

It's been a minute... I'm sorry I haven't kept up with this site lately. I've been busy working and dying of this virus I seem to have. It's been a hell of a few months. I haven't kept up with my reviews of Star Wars Resistance or any Louisville game... I haven't been posting any videos on YouTube lately, either. I'll start to get back into it next year. Anyways......

So I've been working on this novel for a few years, on and off... I've been wracking my brain on whether or not I should share my work. I've decided instead of being worried, or being in my head about it, I'm going to just share it. I welcome everyone's opinion!

The Dark Temptress of Crimsonia

Forward

This novel is a passion project of mine. I’ve been tweaking the story for the past 12 years. My first draft was lost forever when my first laptop was stolen out of my father’s Van when I was 19. I never gave up on the idea. The point of this story is to show everyone why it’s important to never give up on your dreams and follow your heart. Just remember to thank your inspirations when you become famous. They hold grudges! Plus, you never know who we all might grow up to be one day. The following story is one of loss, anger, and despair of this world in which we live. Only, the darker side, filled with mystery, murder, and the supernatural things which lurk within the shadows.

For my Father.

Act 1: The Past

Chapter 1

Taequerrian Longsworth and Valek Stoneham were the best of friends. Ever since they were young kids, they were always getting into trouble, making mischief around town, like young boys do. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, they relied on each other for support, making sure neither of them would ever befriend the wrong types of people. Of course, growing up in South Ainsley wasn’t a walk in the park, so they were constantly watching each other’s backs. It wasn’t the type of town you’d want to grow up in, which made it very dangerous for the two of them but that’s the only life either of them ever knew.

Valek was born in the Spring of 1872. He never knew his parents because he was abandoned at an orphanage shortly after birth. His life growing up was rough. The other orphans would pick on him for having white hair at such a young age. This was a hereditary trait he received from his father’s side. He was an obedient little child, always doing what he was told in school. Of course, when back home, he became a completely different person when around his best friend.

Taequerian was born in 1873, in a small town just 15 miles south of Ainsley named Northridge. His parents, Victoria and Sebastian, were the kindest individuals you would ever meet. Living happily together with their son, and daughter Amelia, aged 14, the two of them were inseparable, and would do anything for their children. They were always smiling, the talk of the town. Therefore, it wasn’t any wonder, that the night of October 10th, 1876, everyone was shocked and horrified by what had transpired.

To be able to understand what had happened on that night and know what will need to happen in the future, we must first go back a few days, and learn the origins of The Forgotten. Only then, will you grasp what is about to unfold. We must first know the who’s and the how it began. Then, will we know the why. Once we learn the truth of it all, there is no going back. This tale of ours begins in the Fall of 1876, during a town festival that started like any other.

It was a hotter than normal Thursday. The townsfolk were setting up tents and canopies, awaiting their first guests. The smell of fresh baked bread and wine filled the air. Laughter was spilling out from the alleys as passersby grew intrigued to learn just what was so funny. Taequerian and Amelia were playing. Tae was learning his colors and shapes, in a fun little game his older sister invented, to help further develop his mind, in preparation of his first day of school that was coming up in a few years’ time.

“It’s better to start early, little brother! You want to make an impression on your fellow classmates and teacher, right?”

She said with an enthusiastic grin.

“Yessum.”

Tae said, poking at the blocks his sister had made for him, some with colors on one half, and shapes on the other. There were 3 blocks each, and she was proud of her accomplishment, knowing how helpful she could be for her brother as he grows.

She was just about to teach him Blue, using one of the blocks that had a blue circle on one of its sides, when Tae began to run off down the alleyway after he started to hear the laughing that the rest of the bystanders were infatuated with as well.

“Fun!”

He said, while escaping from his sister, running lopsidedly down the street, making a bee-line for the alleyway.

“No! Get back here this instant!”

She demanded, chasing after her younger brother in a light sprint so as not to catch up, since she was curious too.

Amelia was a naturally curious girl. Highly intelligent since birth, she was always being used to solve the problems of the townsfolk, no matter what they may be. Her favorite thing in the world was art, however. She was completely enamored by it, in all its forms. At any given moment, she wanted to help her brother explore the wonder art-filled world out there, so if people were laughing, there must be a type of art involved, she thought. This could be a good experience for her and her brother to share.

Tae kept running as the laughs grew louder and louder. He turned the corner at the end of the cobblestone alley and there they were, 2 kids about her sister’s age. Using some sort of brush to paint smoke in the air in front of them and the crowds that began to engulf the alleyway from all sides. People were cheering and clapping as the kids started to make moving pictures in the smoke, as if telling a story with the characters coming to life within the broad strokes they were taking.

“Fascinating!”

Amelia said as she crept up behind her brother, hugging him but also capturing him in a matter of fact way. Tae was entranced by the smokie figures as they danced around a smokie fire pit in a circular pattern, spinning and dipping, while moving back and forth in a spectacular fashion.

“Pretty!”

He said while trying to reach out to touch them.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before”

Said Amelia, wrangling back her brother before he could touch them.

“No, no Tae. That’s not for you to touch.”

The figures started to spiral down and shrink in size until they vanished in a tiny wisp of smoke that blew away like a swatch of cigarette smoke from a corn pipe their grandmother used to smoke from before she passed that summer.

“That was truly a remarkable, awe inspiring feat of theatrics.”

She said as she started to get Tae back in order.

“I’m glad you liked it, Amelia.”

Said the stranger who collected the cloud of smoke into a jar and tucked it into his coat pocket. He stood about 4 inches taller than her, looking handsome in her eyes. She wondered who this person was who swept her off her feet. Could it be that she already knew him? No, it can’t be. He didn’t look familiar at all. How does this person know me? She thought once again, still trying to figure out his identity.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Amelia.”

“I’m sorry, do I know you good sir?” She said to the boy, looking perplexed.

“I’m hurt you would forget me, dear Amelia. It makes me a little sad to hear you don’t remember the times we shared all those years ago, together.”

He said, now walking directly towards her, the jar now completely invisible in his coat, as if he never put it in the pocket. He got on one knee in front of them, he looked up and smiled at Amelia, with a sideways grin.

“I suppose you don’t remember the name Michael Worthington?”

“……”

She grew silent, her lips beginning to quiver and her eyes watering. How could she forget her first crush, her best friend of many years before her brother was born? He had moved away shortly after Taequerian made it into the world, but it hasn’t been but 3 years, she was devasted she had forgotten him so quickly.

“Young Michael? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

She said, now remembering her long lost love, growing up. She pushed her brother aside, giving him a small nudge, and leaped right into Michael’s arms, embracing his touch and feeling like she’s missed a big part of her life for years.

“I’ve missed you, ever so much!”

“As I you, dear Amelia”

Tae was a bit confused about what was going on but since he was just a little kid, he didn’t know who this person was his sister was suddenly embracing, all he could do was just be curious about the smoke.

“Where did the smokie people go?”

He said, looking directly up at the boy, small tears in his eyes as he began to sniffle.

“You must be the little brother, eh? It’s nice to meet you.”

He smiled down at Tae and took out the bottle from his pocket, still looking as if he pulled it from thin air. He opened the jar and out flew the smoke. It started to swirl around Tae’s head as figures started poking out of the smoke, also made of smoke, and they were making silly faces at Tae, as to be friendly and non-threatening. Tae loved every minute of it and returned each face that was made.

“Where have you been, Michael? Last I heard, your family was in a tough spot and you had to move away to Haddington. I thought I’d never see you again.”

She said, now back by her brother’s side, holding his hand as the smoke started to circle her arm. It began running up to her shoulders and a plume of smokie flowers began to bloom around her neck. It was the most beautiful thing she ever saw. Colorful flowers within the smoke, how was this possible?

“How are you accomplishing such a feat?”

She said, bewildered by their beauty.

“How about instead of telling you, I teach you.”

He said, as the flowers began to whither and retreat into the bottle.

“I would have to ask my Parents first but…”

She paused for a second, looking down at her brother.

“Let me take my little brother home first.”’

“Certainly. Shall I accompany you?”

“That would be lovely.”